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      <div class="title_topic2" id="xps10_pagetitle">Overview of PCB.xchange</div>
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      <div class="title_division"> Introducing PCB.xchange</div>
      <p class="para_division">PCB.xchange is a file translation tool for exchanging printed circuit board (PCB) design data between Electrical and Mechanical Computer Design (ECAD and MCAD) systems. It utilizes the Intermediate Data Format (IDF) as a common denominator to allow data-sharing between NX and most ECAD systems. It is designed to be used in conjunction with the PCB.xchange toolbar in NX.</p>
      <p class="para_division">There are two ways to use PCB.xchange to facilitate ECAD/MCAD design integration: </p>
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            <p class="para_item">You can create a new PCB assembly with the PCB.xchange toolbar, then use PCB.xchange to inspect, modify or update the assembly, and then export a file readable by ECAD systems. </p>
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         <li>
            <p class="para_item">You can use PCB.xchange to import an existing PCB assembly into NX, then use Modeling commands or the PCB.xchange toolbar to make changes or additions to the assembly. </p>
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      <div class="title_division"> The mechanical/electrical PCBA design process</div>
      <p class="para_division">In the typical design process, the mechanical engineer defines the board shape, specifies important keepins and keepouts, and preplaces critical components such as connectors, switches, displays, and LED's using a mechanical CAD application. This information is passed to the electrical engineer to use as the basis for the board layout in the electrical CAD application. After placing the remaining components, the fully placed board assembly is checked by the mechanical engineer to make sure the board assembly fits into the final product package. Multiple iterations of this basic flow typically occur during the product design phase.</p>
      <div class="title_division"> Working with PCB.xchange</div>
      <p class="para_division">PCB.xchange provides the tools for managing and exchanging data between ECAD and MCAD systems. Access PCB.xchange through the PCB.xchange toolbar in NX.</p>
      <p class="para_division">There are two ways to transfer data between NX and ECAD, regardless of the direction of the transfer. You can import or export the data directly to or from NX, or you can load the ECAD or NX data into the PCB.xchange window and examine it there before writing the data to the other format. The two methods are essentially identical and offer the same options. Import and export in the NX window is a bit quicker, while reading the file into the PCB.xchange window provides tools to inspect the data and preview the results before you write the new file</p>
      <p class="para_division">With either method, the PCB.xchange  Entity Filter is a powerful tool for controlling the transfer of data between ECAD and MCAD.</p>
      <div class="title_division"> Exporting PCB assemblies from NX to ECAD</div>
      <p class="para_division">You can create PCB assemblies working in NX, then export them to ECAD. Each component is a separate part, and the board can be designated as the assembly part, or as another component in the assembly. Using component collections in TeamCenter or in designated directories, critical placement and packaging issues are easily resolved, leveraging the full concurrent design capablilities of NX.</p>
      <div class="title_division"> Importing PCB assemblies from ECAD to NX</div>
      <p class="para_division">PCB Assemblies represented by ECAD files can be efficiently imported into NX using PCB.xchange. The ECAD file is mapped to an NX assembly, with PC board as the assembly part and components represented as assembly components. PC Board geometry, components, restriction areas and drilled holes are accurately represented. Component size, orientation and position are preserved.</p>
      <p class="para_division">By default, PCB.xchange creates all components as NX parts when it imports a PCB assembly into NX. The components are created by extruding the footprint to the specified component height. These parts are included as components in the assembly. The assembly component name corresponds to the reference designator. Component number is an attribute of the assembly component, defined using the PCB.xchange toolbar. You can also use detailed components previously created and stored in the Read/Write directory. The component package names are used to find the matching parts.</p>
      <p class="para_division">See also <a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('pcb/xu_idf_to_nx.html');return(false);">Importing ECAD Files into NX</a> and <a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('pcb/xu_nx_to_idf.html');return(false);">Exporting NX Models to ECAD</a> for additional information.
      </p>
      <div class="title_division"> Using entity filters</div>
      <p class="para_division">Filtering allows you to control which components, restriction areas and drilled holes are imported. A variety of filters are provided with the product; these can be modified as desired, or new filters can be constructed. See also <a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('pcb/xu_filter.html');return(false);">Working with Entity Filters</a> for more information.
      </p>
      <div class="title_division"> Exporting a thermal model to universal format (.unv).</div>
      <p class="para_division">You can export a thermal FE model for use with the thermal solvers NX Electronic System Cooling and NX Thermal and Flow . Different meshing options and different ways of coupling the component to the board are provided. By preparing a database of component themal values and defaults, exporting the FE model becomes an automatic procedure. See also <a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('pcb/xu_write_fe_model.html');return(false);"> Writing an FE Model for Thermal Analysis</a> for more information.
      </p>
      <div class="title_division"> Start PCB.xchange from command prompt</div>
      <p class="para_division">You can run the program either in conjunction with NX (making Read/Write to NX possible), or as a stand-alone program for examining ECAD files (with Read/Write to NX deactivated).</p>
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